ISSUE
The Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) may be illuminated and Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) P1380, P1381, P1383, and/or P0340 may be stored in memory. The vehicle may also have a rough idle or reduced power condition, and/or may stall at an idle.

ACTION
Refer to the following Service Information for diagnostic tips and repair procedures.

SERVICE INFORMATION

Inspect the following areas to help diagnose condition.

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Variable Camshaft Timing (VCT) control system stuck with a machining chip

NOTE PROCEED WITH THIS PROCEDURE ONLY IF DTCs P1381, P1383 OR P0340 ARE PRESENT IN KOER AND P1380 IS NOT PRESENT. IF P1380 IS PRESENT, REFER TO POWERTRAIN CONTROL/EMISSIONS DIAGNOSIS (PC/ED) SERVICE MANUAL.

NOTE IF CODES P1380, P1381, OR P1383 ARE NOT PRESENT IN KOER, VCT AND VALVETRAIN COMPONENTS ARE FUNCTIONING AND ARE PROPERLY ADJUSTED. FAULT CANNOT BE DUPLICATED OR IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.

1.

If DTC P1381 or P1383 is present in KOER, install 104-pin breakout box.

NOTE VEHICLES WITH A VARIABLE CAMSHAFT USE FORD OIL FILTER FL-2005, THIS OIL FILTER HAS AN INTERNAL CHECK VALVE THAT KEEPS THE EXHAUST VALVE CLOSED, WHEN THE ENGINE IS OFF, THIS WILL PREVENT ANY HARD START, OVER-FUELING OR FLOODING CONDITIONS ON INITIAL START UP (FIGURE 1).

NOTE VEHICLES WITH A VARIABLE CAMSHAFT RUN ON A MINIMUM OIL PRESSURE OF 50 PSI. REGARDLESS, OF THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE.

11.

If VCT remains disabled at 3000 rpm (RCAM does not increase from idle reading), refer to PC/ED Service Manual.

CAMDCR (NGS) / VCTDC (WDS) = (0 to 99%) is the On-time of the VCT solenoid as requested by the PCM (see Figure 2).

2.

CAMERR (NGS) / VCTADVERR (WDS) = (0°to 30°) is how many degrees the exhaust cam is "out" from the requested position. Values "+" mean the cam is not retarded enough and values "-" indicate the cam is over retarded (see Figure 3).

Indicates a VCT circuit failure between the PCM and the VCT solenoid, or possible VCT solenoid failure. Check for 3-6 ohms resistance at the VCT Solenoid with the connector disconnected. Check for 12 volts power at the VCT harness, check continuity at the VCT ground and PCM driver. Consult the appropriate Electrical and Vacuum Troubleshooting Manual (EVTM) for circuit location and description (see Figure 5).

P1381 - VCT Over-Advanced:

Indicates the exhaust camshaft would not retard to the position requested by the PCM. These are the following possibilities:

1.

The VCT is not moving the Exhaust Camshaft, possible bad VCT Solenoid.

When diagnosing this concerns, unplug the Camshaft position sensor, if the vehicle runs o.k. Look for a damaged Exhaust Camshaft Position Sensor Tone ring, refer to Figure 8 and check the tone ring alignment. For rough idle, cranks/no start, stall at idle or DTC codes P0340, P1383 or P1381, inspect for a broken Flex Plate or Monitor the PIDs on the NGS/WDS (see Figure 9).